chiefest song Your law we should inherit what 's that I say It should be our med'tation all the day For what the Lord our God did you ordain You do perform you nere return in vain You are of no private stock as some boast Your orig'nall is from the Holy Ghost You are unfeignedly the Spirits sword You are the way of truth you are Gods Word When any of us here do go astray You call us back and put us in the way Your power is such you build plant a crown And then you root it up and throw it down You convert souls you make the simple wise Your Laws are pure they'lluminate our eyes You 're like a hammer like a burning fire How you break the rocky heart I admire I 'm not able of my self this t' unfold How more you are to be desir'd than gold You are at liberty you are not bound Nought that beloÌ„gs to you shal fal to grouÌ„d Whoever keeps your Law is neer of kin To Christ and an Antagonist to sin He that keeps your law shall know no ill thing Your laws b'ing kept do take away deathssting If we could keep your laws it would be thus What we asked it should be granted us But oh 't is so with wretched lapsed man He cannot keep your laws do what he can 'T is God to man must understanding give Before he learn your laws thereby to live Yet of the world the less we know and learn The more of you and yours we shall discern But what can man do any thing he ought Since of himself he hath not onegood thought No the great God himself must these things teach Or else they are far ' nough out of mans reach He cannot know your will much lesse obey Yet pray'r is truly termed heavens key From all that hath been said let 's all on you Bestow our loves our hearts as only due Lord draw us to this love with thy love-cords That in hearts we be what w'express in words But lest I seem prolix I 'le here surcease Yet rest a breather after you and peace John Davis CERTAIN DIVINE EPIGRAMS To certain worthy persons approved Friends and neer relations to whom the Authour presented some of his Books LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 1652. To his most honoured father Master DAVIS Minister of the Gospel in Hereford-Shire SIR IF you vouchsafe in love to read each line You 'll say with me the work 's your own not mine For what I say or write I cannot own What I have reapt is that w ch you have sown But yet I must confesse our Authour more Was principall herein whom I adore To wit the Lord of heav'n who gives to all And upbraideth none whether great or small He 's Father of us both our gifts and parts Wherfore to him let 's both bequeath ourharts But Sir the sum that once I borrow'd of you I cannot half discharge though all be due But please a little while to beare with mee I 'le pay you all and set my surety free But what was this sum money no' t was better O! then I doubt I shall be still your debter Except for all you will accept one part Which I will pay in love with all my hart And what you say is truly due behinde I 'le still be paying too 't is th' honest minde Of your eldest obedient John Davis To his dear Mother Mistris DAVIS NOne can expresse the great yet joyfull pain A Mother undergoes a son to gain Yet since the Lord hath made my wife a mother I can the care though not the pain discover What care have I that those who bear my name May be instructed well yours was the same For me which was to me much hid not known Till now of late I had some of my own Now I know your pains your cares and your fears Your earnest late and early pray'rs and tears As I now handle dandle on my knee My son and my daughter so you did mee But oh there 's much to mine as yet not done Which is perform'd by you to me your sonne In all obedience John Davis To my Father in Law Thomas Rider Gentleman and his loving Consort my Mother in Law MY very few spare minutes I have spent In studying of some pledge or argument To prove my thankfulness unto you both For that you freely did bequeath betroth Your loves to me thus cleer thus plain set down Giving your daughter for my wife my crown To sign your love to me you did bestow On me the issue of your bodies lo To signe my love to you I 'm not behinde I give you here the issue of my minde If any more remain to you from me I cannot brook a debtor still to be Be sure of this if God doth not with hold Iâ—le pay you all in better coine than gold I am your loving son John Davis To his dear Wife Abigail Davis LOVE LEt not thy love from anc'ent truthsdecline Hate thou falshood love truly truths divine Let not the love of earthly Authors make Thee love a truth love truth for its own sake None will slight cord'als though a foe do send Them nor poys'n take though from a bosome friend Let nothing here be doubtful unto you Not that th' Author but th'patroÌ„ speaks it true Convince gain-sayers with the patrons words They 're fitter weapons for this end than swords If thou asswage the rage of some that rail Against this truth thou dost like Abigail Preserve thy husband and what doth belong To him from danger violence and wrong Accept of this as I accepted thee In love esteem it as a gift from mee Your faithfull and loving husband John Davis To the reverend faithfull and profitable Minister of the Gospell Mr. Rawlinson of the Parish of Lambeth Pastor I Know you will not slight truth ' cause compact In Verse I did it truly to contract Much matter in few words in little space And Sir to sing a Psalm is no disgrace The stile 's the recreat'on of my youth If you but please to call the matter truth No man I dare presume will then contend With it that 's double-prais'd that you coÌ„mend In contemplation of this paradox I seem'd to see destructive shelve's and rocks My soul was in a strait could see no light Scyll'on my left Charibais on my right Which to eschew I fixed both mine eyes On th'fixed star of Scripture-verities And so I was directed guided far From either danger by the foresaid star And your conduct which I must needs confess Hath been a happy instrument t' repress In me those wandrings from the perfect way Of truth where unregen'rate man doth stray But now this point I do relie upon Although by some 't is heterocliton Sir from your mouth proceedeth strength to quell Deprav'd rebell'ous nature sin and hell You 're
ΨΑΛΜ ΟΣ ΘΕῙΟΣ Or a Divine PSALME OR SONG Wherein Predestination is maintained yet the honour of JEHOVAH preserved and vindicated And to that eternall SONG the holy Scripture dedicated By JOHN DAVIS Whereunto is annexed an Elogie upon the Patron With certaine Divine Epigrams to whom the Author presented some of his Books So then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace Rom. 11. 5. What shall we say then Is there unrighteousnesse with God God forbid Rom. 9. 14. LONDON Printed andare to be sold by Humphrey Moseley at the Princes Arms in Pauls Church-yard and by Andrew Kemb at S. Margarets Hill in Southwark 1652. Vpon the title of this little Book namely a Psalme PSalms though now of late with us some men deem As foolish yet their worths deserve esteem King David thus exhorteth well to sing Let S'ons children be joyfull in their King Israel he exhorteth all along To praise to sing unto the Lord a Song At singing Psalms let none presume to rail For frō the heart through th'month it dothprevail Like Gol'ahs sword for 't is aweapon strong To conquer though to reason weak a song Search Godsword see that place that Irehearse 2 Chron. twentieth Chapter 22 Verse Jehos'phat consult's with those in his dayes And appointed singers to th'Lord to praise The beauty of holinesse and to say Before th' army Gods mercy is for aye And when that they began to praise to sing To God on high their everlasting King The purpose of their foes he did prevent ' Gainst Ammons children God set ambushment For they were smitten and each other smote Hallelujah was not in mouth nor c throat To speak the worth the force the fame the glory Of singing give me leave to sing this story The Protestants within a Town in France Besieg'd still at the time they did advance To fight rheir enemies they would go out Singing of Psalms or Songs which to the rout Or company of their besiegers grew So terrible though but the voice of few That ere the gates were open they could heare Their singing voice and run away for fear Now let men cease to say to sing is vain Since holy Writ and story thwarts it plain John Davis To his Meditation THy meaning here ô Muse I pray dilate Canst thou the Lord preserve or vindicate Is not Jehovah all-sufficient In and of himself pray what hast thou meant By these thy words I answer some do strive In this our age to rob bereave deprive God of his titles they think it no shame To say he mocks poor souls now can you blame Me thus to speak since errours out of date To Gods dispraise are fash'ons now of late The foes to truth say in Predestination The Lord is guilty of Equivocation Which I deny in all my foll'wing pages Concording with Gods Word learned Sages Yet not this ' lone but many errours more Have landed here of late on th' English shore Which I oppose according to my gift And if by this I chance to give a lift And displace this errour un'versall grace Together with Freewill which creeps apace Into our faith of late I shall do more In these few lines than many heretofore In greater Volumes ' cause I understand The hearts of all men are within Gods hand To be turned by whom and when he please I have a hope that this may do 't with ease I 'm satisfi'd ô Mufe with this thou say'st 'T is wel thou speak'st thy mind ere thou decay'st Go forth with speed pow'r against thy foes Fear none of them thy Patron will oppose Them all thou hast likewise some friends that will While they can speak defend thine honest quill While truth thou lov'st falshood dost disdain Thy neer and faithfull friend I shall remain John Davis Imprimatur John Downame To the truly Noble that eternall Song of Divine inspiration the administration of righteousnesse the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testament JOHN DAVIS wisheth all preservation and glory in this age and in that to come WHen I had finished this little Book according to custome I began to study a Patron I propounded in my thoughts divers men that of no ordinary rank and quality they were great men and according to appearance good men for I made it no small part of my study to choose such men that lov'd truth that so they might the better protect it but when I considered with my self that no mortall man was infallible and that the greatest and best men in the World have but a time here and that time short and that the strongest and ablest man hath not an irresistible power of himself to withstand the opposition made by multitudes of false spirits I was discouraged to confirme any of those which were in my thoughts for a Patron then I began to propound my self unto my self because I am best able to interpret my own meaning and if occasion serve to be my own Advocate and so patronize and protect this little Book from the violence of this our age which loves novelty rather than truth that which is new than that which is true but then considering if I should accept of my self it would be something an undervaluing or slighting those worthy Gentlemen that were in my thoughts and an esteeming of my selfe above my self as if none were so wise as my self which is meer folly whereupon I was almost in the minde of sending this forth into the malicious World amongst all its enemies without a Patron but at last the Lord put into my head and heart to think upon your incomparable selves whom I have made choice of for your fidelity ability and perpetuity if I had concluded on any other though for the present it might have been patronized and defended but alas in a short time it would have been left Fatherlesse Patronlesse and so become a poore distressed despised and rejected little one but oh I could not have chosen the like you are an immortall seed a Patron that will remain from generation to generation you are founded for ever Man shall passe nay heaven shall passe and earth shall passe but you will never passe away I may well compare Epistles Dedicatory to Funerall Sermons wherein men use to commend and praise the party deceased beyond their deserts and truly had I concluded upon any man for my Patron of this little work I must have flattered him or else in stead of protection I might have expected correction but for your parts you will not only deserve what I shall say but even excell the best language that I am able to speak concerning you and it is better so for I had rather be defective in my Patrons commendations than my Patron defective indeserts But now most compleat Patron I humbly beg your care of this my little one when other Patrons nare dead whe I my self am deceased
unknown to each reprobate Answ I answer that if they cannot discover That God deludes them how can any other That prosecutes this strange objection charge The just and righteous God with couzenage What are they turned Gods that they Can thus unlock disclose display This hidden veiled mystery That none within the World espie Since that Gods wayes without all doubt Are a ships way past finding out Surel ' if there be no reprobates Can say that God equivocates With any with them while h'exhorted Them to believe and be converted And yet with-holds the grace whereby They should upon his Son relye Because th are cannot truly know Whether they reprobates or no Then surely he that doth maintain This mysticall or rather vain Objection must give ore for shame Thus basely the great God to blame Till of himself he 's able to trace The just God in fault and in his own case Only and not on others thus to declaim Before themselves in any wise complain Of Gods dealing with them who do not vent A word perchance against unchang'd intent Thus more be pleas'd to give me leave God doth not reprobates deceive In offering grace to them by The Gospel in its Ministry Though he resolveth not to give The faith by which the just do live Because th' reprobates I will maintain By th' Gospel preach't to them do gain As first oft-times they bear away That which becomes a present stay To their drooping souls which would sink Into despair should they not drink Of th' Gospels spring possibility They have and more a probability Of true conversion which none under heaven Have but such to whom the Gospel's given And secondly they know the Attributes Of God which to the World he distributes They know the nature suff'rings and merits Of Jesus Christ and who by him inherits The Kingdom they know 't is such alone That hath a soft not a heart of stone Now are not these unmatched rare Priviledges beyond compare Except saving knowledge what doth excell To speak truly I cannot tell Which as before for ought they know They may obtain e're hence they go Now who can say the Lord doth hardly deal With reprobates I dare appeal Unto themselves who cannot but Thus speak Jehovah doth not shut All his favours up from the reprobate But this is true that I relate Thirdly reprobates by th' Gospel gain Those outward blessings which do pertain Thereto whereof they have a share As great as such who chosen are The Gospel commonly with it doth bring Peace plenty with each outward thing It always brings blessings great and many Of which reprobates drink as deep as any Therefore 't is not altogether vain To th' reprobates as some would maintain Fourthly reprobates though not sanctified Call'd by the Gospel yet 't is not denied But many morall vertues thence they gain Withall the grace of God which doth restrain Their running head-long to th' excesse Of vice of sin and wickednesse The Word of God becomes so prevalent In their souls to whom 't is sent That it makes them to act and do Many things for God yea and to Go farre i' th' practise of religion That they seem almost without suspicion To be th' elect of God the sheep Of Jesus Christ which he will keep Therefore it comes into my minde again Though th' Gospel doth not save 't is not vain 'T is by the Gospel reprobates injoy Communion with elect which doth imploy My Muse again this to maintain The Gospel preached is not vain Because the profit and blessing 's not small T' have fellowship with the best of all Mankinde t' enjoy the society Of Gods elect who practise piety Because the Scripture oft relates That God hath oft blest reprobates For th' only sake of his elect That live with them in due respect Read what great blessings God did yield To Josephs masters house and field For Josephs sake 't is on record I' th' Book of truth his written word Object But some may say the Gospel aggravates The condemnation of the reprobates Because it leaves them all as I suppose Without excuse so they gain not but lose Answ I answer such a man even thus 't is true 'T is better for some they had nere knew The Word the Gospel yea for only they That go on in a rebellious way Without restraint but as for such Who are reclaimed by it much They gain obtein as shall appear By what I say and write down here Though 't doth their condemnation aggravate Yet know withall 't doth extenuate The same another way by detracting The number of their sins which they 're acting While here they live who would have added Sin to sin as if they were n'ere cladded Therewith notable to abstain Did not the Gospel-check restrain So that observe they gain more by the last Than by the first they lose for all your hast How'ere I dare affirme the very knowledge Of the Gospel is such a priviledge And blessing of it self that those who are Ingenious reprobates would not care With the Gospel to undergo in fine A greater punishment than lesser sine But some perchance will answer thus and say Although I am in haste yet I can stay To ask another question once again Answ Thus If the Gospel rightly do pertain To none but God's elect why is it then Preached so generally to all men If it were truly ' ffectuall to none But th'elect it should be preach't to them ' lone Quest For answer Mark what shall be said In these reasons before you laid The Gospel is generally propounded Reason 1 To th' elect reprobate because confounded They are or mingled with each other as The weeds tares are with the corne grasse Or as the dust the chaffe with wheat is found Or as the stones are with the solid ground Now as the raine doth oft-times fall upon The tares the weeds and stones as well as on The wheat the fertile soyle the grasse Not ' cause it principally was Intended to them but for that They 're intermixed with the wheat So the Gospels pleasant showres fall upon The reprobated the rejected one Whom holy Scripture doth compare To rocks to stones to weeds to tare Not no not to save as some sect Do prate but ' cause with Gods elect They 're mixt who are in Scripture found Compar'd to wheat to mellow ground For whose effect'all calling it was meant For whose change conversion onely sent Reason 2 Secondly 't is thus preached gen'rally Because Ministers know not infallibly The reprobates from the elect If they could know who would reject The Gospel they would then deny unto Such to preach but alas they know not who Are chosen loved who are elected Nor who are reprobated rejected Therefore it is they preach to all That so th' elected they may call Reason 3 Thirdly the Gospel's preached thus To all to ev'ry
valiant victorious in your war And yet come off free both frō wound or scar The profit reapt from you with thanks I name I part from you more knowing than I came As fear and joy into the Arke the Dove Did bring so you bring law then Gospel-love Into our souls first Law that souls may fear Justice then love in Christ all which indeare Me for ever your servant and while health and place permit your delightfull hearer John Davis To his approved good friend the learned and experienced Master John Hinton Physician O! How neer the brink ô how neer was I To danger to death ô how neer to die Yet preserv'd from falling in yet I live Oh! let me praise the God of life and give Him hearty thanks for this his providence To me such love I cannot recompence Or satisfie but yet I 'le strive to pay In humble thankfulness in this my day Some smal returns I will confess His love is infinite and I will blesse His name the occas'on was only hence That 't is not long ago I had a sense Of rich mercies I say it is not long Since he pitied me for which this Song Or Psalm I made to sing eternall praise To God who from the gates of death did raise His servant yet grat'tude I read is due As th' instrument of God from me to you When Nabals wife did pacifie asswage King Davids passion anger fury rage He blest the God of Israel that sent Her so to meet him and thereby prevent His evill purpose but he did not rest Untill likewise her counsell he had blest Yea happy blest be thou also saith he Who hast this day from sin prevented me So noble friend my Doctor first must I Expresse unto my God and then imply Unto you this word of thanks Blessed twice Thus blest be God and you and your advice The first I call the cause efficient The second is your self the Instrument Of my present health and late recov'ry By your Cordials and Phlebotomie Now pray accept of this as 't is a token Of humble thankfulnesse for what is spoken I 'le say but this your skill deserves your fame The sick you heal or cure the mad you tame Sir I am your servant John Davis To his Countrey the fruitfull County of Hereford in Wales I Know in double letters you excell O that you had not double hearts as well You exceed in Water Wooll Wheat and Wood And some esteem these things their chiefest good But such that count those earthly springs and pools Summū bonum my patron cals thē fools Water is a servant good as a fire Is but snch masters none that 's wise desire As fire the highest tower can burn down So flouds of water the high'st hils can drown And what 's Wooll but sheeps clothing anhyp'crite Which but cast off would prove a woolf to bite Add f to wooll it will be Woolf thus pla in Take f away 't will seem a sheep a gain And what is Wood but the concrete of ire 'T is combustible fuell for a fire And what is Wheat 't is true of all the rest If any one be better 't is the best But though the bread of this we eat to nourish Our bodies yet pray know 't is food that perish Now do not boast nor set your hearts upon The best of these they 're corrupt each one For yourwater esteem the gospels wel or spring For that glad tidings to your souls it bring For your word ' steem the same which is a tree Where truth doth grow from a painfull Bee An eatnest frequent praying man derive Most sweet and wholesome cord'als t'keep a live In time of scarcity in time of want But O! here food doth grow therefore not scant Be no more wood be meek be loving kinde Cut down your wood and plant a sober minde And for your plenty of that grain of wheat Over-value not the same I entreat But freely give to poor distressed ones That have no land to plant for rock or stones And value you the foresaid truth to feed Upon Gods Word the true immortall g seed And for your wool be sure your selvs you dress In that white robe of Christ his righteousness Let Christs Gospel his righteousnes his blood Be your all your Water Wooll Wheat and Wood Countrey this little book I dedicate To you because I heare I heare of late False teachers are abroad to you crept down To smooth to flatter smile and not to frown Saying all are sav'd which to the weaker sort Seem's pleasant some sinners thank thē for 't But have a care my friends it is more sweet Than sound or wholsom therefore do not greet Them so with congees thanks for 't is not true As holy Scripture here declares to you My friends if any come to you and bring With them not this true doctrine but shal sing Contradicting notes bid them not God speed Lest you partake of others evill deed I will forbear with paper and ink till I speak to you face to face John Davis To his respected Vncle John Davis of The Greenway in Hereford-Shire SIr to requite the many courtesies I have receiv'd from you my Muse denies As impossible yet you see she hates Ingratitude for that she dedicates This Book toher relations and friends As so many cred'tors to make amends In part for all their loves without delayes Knowing that he owes most that nothing payes I hope you will accept from me this mite For that although 't is smal 't is weight not light And having tri'd you are like Persia's King Who much would give take the smallest thing I rest your loving Kinsman John Davis To his respected Friend Master John Wood. SIr be pleased to give a friendly look On these my lines coucht in this little book I hope they 'll answer th' name of orthodox The arguments for proof are sound as rocks Howsoever see them prov'd scan each line If one prove strong 't is Gods if weak ' t is mine Till this were out my Muse could finde no rest Of all you love the godly learned best Your humble Servant John Davis To his Honoured Friend Mr. Abraham Taylor Merchant of the City of LONDON SIR I Know right well untruths you cannot book Behold they 're here condemn'd within this brook Here 's truth triumphing errour much asham'd To shew her self because of most men blam'd The old receiv'd undoubted verity Here I maintain ' gainst dead-quick heresie Answering all objections which some make Against the truth for nought but fash'ons sake I have read th'eloquence of Cicero I could have writ in Latin but why so All in England know not the Latin tongue But I could wish that all both old and young Would learn the originals first the Greek And then the sacred Hebrew Language seek Their worths I cannot speak I must admire O! that our youth
you will be alive to succour and maintain this issue of my minde which I conceive with submission is so concording with yours Parents that have many children sons and daughters have a more private regard of their sons because they bear up and continue their names and amongst their sons they have a greater affection to protect defend and preserve from danger and violence even him that most resembles the father in person and quality Noble friends this even this is the seed of your Loynes it is your sonne it bears up your names therefore I need not question your tender regard of it but forasmuch as it resembles and favours you do but favour it and in so doing you will favour me who while I can speak will speak for you and while I have a being cannot but be An admirer of all your Excellencies John Davis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or a Divine Psalme or Song Wherein Predestination is maintained yet the honour of JEHOVAH preserved and vindicated WE see through the perspective glasse Of Scripture that what comes to passe In time is decreed fore-ordained by The will of God from all Eternity Through this perspective lo we see Some fore-ordain'd by Gods decree Unto eternal Life death Those design'd To Life are only sav'd as in his word I finde Quest Now th' Patrons of universall grace Do commonly demand in any case How God can hence excused be From collusion and deceit if he Will none convert nor save but those Whom from Eternity he chose Seeing he offereth grace to all In his Gospel preach'd to great and small Answ For answer first to this demand Take this being next unto my hand That though the preaching of the Gospel be Alike communicable unto all we see Yet the saving comfort is for none But snch who are elected them alone Unlike the law which bindes alike all men 'T is not on all entail'd I speak it ore agen Hence the elect are stil'd Abrahams seed Hence faith in Christ for them is sole decreed Hence the voice of Christ is come peculiar Unto the sheep of Christ particular From hence the holy Spirit doth affect To term true faith the faith of Gods elect As being proper yea peculiar to none But to the Saint which is his chosen one Secondly observe that albeit Pastors are to preach the Gospel yet 'T is not with intent to convert all Which heare it but such that God will call Home by that means his dear respected The lesser number long ago elected The Apostle Paul did preach yea endure All things but not for all I am sure I suffer all things the Spirit by him spake But not for all but for the chosen sake God hath e Apostles Pastors Prophets too Yea ' vangelists but what are these to do They are not given for all 's conversion No but for the elect the Saints perfection All Gospel-Preachers thus are termed By holy Scripture 't is confirmed Th' are only sent as instruments to gather Th'elect from the four winds or corners rather Thirdly note that though the Gospel thus Be preach'd by grace to every one of us Yet 't is not heavens intent to save Every one of us that heard it have But only such that with love receive it Or such alone that do believe it This prov'd by that of Christs Commission To his Apostles when he made apparition To them and bid them in the world go teach And the Gospel to all creatures preach He that believeth and is baptized He shall be saved and dearly prized But who believeth not except he mend Tell him already he is condemn'd Now none believes nor gains true saving faith But Gods elect alone the Scripture saith If this be granted then to me Doctrine As I am sure it needs must be That the Gospel-graces are for none But for th' Elect reserv'd for them alone Then take with you this observation That there is no contradiction 'Twixt the secret and revealed will Of God that can both save and kill And that the holy God equivocates With none although he dedicates His Gospel to all to every Nation Though not effectually unto salvation As some object who are Arminius sons Or else some mad at least some frantick ones For none that understandeth well Will tax th' Holy One of Israel With what he will nor cannot do 'T is truth God has his cannots too He cannot lie he cannot change nor die He neither will nor can himself deny For how can he that is all purity Approve much lesse commit iniquity Wherefore from hence with me conclude He cannot mock deceive delude Object But thus may some object and this retort That th' Lord doth seriously exhort Reprobates themselves to believe repent Though 't was nere his abs'lute intent To work faith in their hearts then so if that They cannot have I mean the reprobate Power of themselves for to believe God may be said for to deceive Because he doth exhort them to That without him they cannot do Answ To this I frame my answer thus If God that knows each heart of us Should immediatly from heaven tell The reprobates they are for hell Ordain'd without rdemption Or that he would not cause contrition In them yet exhort particularly Such to resent effectually There were some shew of mockery In God who is fidelity But here 't is otherwise I dare Presume and cannot but declare For though the Lord doth oft entreat Unto repent the reprobate Who 're cast off in his secret will He not deludes I speak it still Because the Lord doth not invite Immediately th' reprobate to light I mean immediately from heaven But mediately by Ministers 't is given To preach the Gospel so that when They preach they speak unto all men Because they cannot say this is rejected Or this my hearer is elected For what they know 't is but in part 'T is God alone that knows the heart To ev'ry man the truth they shew As to th'elect for ought they know Again because the reprobate Whom the great God doth oft entreat Exhort and tender Gospel-grace Knows not his own estate or case Whether he is for heav'n or hell Destin'd ordain'd they cannot tell Since he was nere made partaker Of th' privy Counsel of his Maker But only what he doth reveal Within his Word which doth conceal Not determine or denominate This or that man a reprobate So that for any thing they know Their life 's a day of grace and so There is none that can truly say I 'm a reprobate or cast-away ' Cause to each self there 's possibility And more there is a probability Of b'ing sav'd since they cannot know Whether they 're rejected yea or no. Object Yet some object the Lord well knows What men he hath rejected those Cannot repent because he hath With-held from them his grace of faith Now God must needs equivocate Though
doth not my faithfull patron call Us sinners all since that of Adams fall That we have broken all his laws kept none Of Gods commands but to all evill prone And if any man dare this same deny Our very conscience in our face will fly Now will any for strangers condescend So low as for a friend a bosome friend And that all creatures are not sinners worse Doth not sin deserve an eternall curse Yet is it so that God some men doth save O admire this love at grace do not rave But rather love and on this meditate How the great God at first did man create Man was at first the best the chief of all The creatures made but lost it by a fall He had engraven on him heavens feature But by this fall became the meanest creature O wretch man could nothing content or suit With thy desire but the forbidden fruit O! 'T was folly shame even too much haste As soon as made thus for our pleasant taste To lose a paradise how pleasant no I see By this 't was bitter in the third degree For which man 's a servant yet worst of all He fell from the tree in t ' eternall thrall From which doth God so good as to redeem Some men Oh have this love in high esteem Doth God this man unto salvation chuse Yet another as deep ingag'd refuse Lo here 't is manifested in thy sight That the love of the Lord is infinite Doth he save some this or that damn th' rest Lo here 's mercy and justice plain exprest Doth he not bring all out of their first state Blesse him that some he doth compassionate Do not injustice on the Lord retort But bless and praise his Name fear him for 't Hath God made choice of thee not another Oh! the praises of thy heart do not smother But sing aloud unto the God of grace Eternall thanks for his indulgent face Towards thee who hast deserv'd as many And as great punishments for sin as any If thou far'st well do not of God complain That other souls have not what you obtain Again on the other side what hath hee Chosen other men and rejected thee Do not rail and maligne but do confess It is Gods justice for thy wickedness His will is not to be oppos'd withstood Let not thine eye be ill ' cause he is good Wish none coÌ„deÌ„n'd because thou art not sav'd Blame none because thy self thou hast enslav'd Let God do what he will let him alone To do his pleasure with what is his own Let him dispence perform or execute Which royall title name or attribte Is meet according to his holy will Then no malignant sland'rous tongue or quill Hath cause to say he wrongs although he pardoÌ„ This man or that alone and others harden If Princes be so good as to promote One traitor to their persons just to vote Anothers execution with all speed For th'very same offence fact or like deed Like King Pharaoh I answer thus in short Who hath just cause to tax to blame theÌ„ for 't May not a Creditor be true and just Unto such loose debtors that have through lust Their bils forfeited if he doth acquit One yet another sue withall commit Him to the Law to be confin'd restrain'd Doth not injustice here prove meerly fain'd What cause hath he of any just complaint Who for his wilfull debt hath just restraint If nat'rall parents have two prodigall Sons and they please to send for and to call Home one and what if they likewise affect To make him be their heir cast off reject The other what shew is here all along Exprest to him of injury or wrong Say Masters have two servants that abuse Their words and yet retein one and refuse To keep the other but will forthwith cast Him out of doors is he not now displac't Deservedly God deals but even so With wretched man since Adams fall for oh What debtors traitors disobedient Children are we what faithlesse negligent Servants the best deserveth not his breath Of God but reject'on ex'cut'on death Yet notwithstanding doth it will or please Jehovah some to pardon and release To send for home some men adopt or chuse Them for his heirs and to cast out refuse Others what wrong is here though God award His love to this or that and some discard Doth all mankinde deserve rejection O what admirable love affection Doth God vouchsafe to shew a higher note Of love was never nor a juster vote By man yet I wonder that God not prove So true a lover since his name is love Likewise I do not dare not neither must Any man who is rebellious dust For God his well deserved justice blame Him for as love so justice is his name Fâ—om all the lines that I have here premised Let sinfull wretched man be well advised How he renders this great and mighty Name Of God for what his titles are the same He is now let not frail uncertain dust Say God is partiall mercilesse unjust O! let him have the praise and glory due Unto his titles nam'd from me and you I judge it meet to make an end because I think enough's already said to pause Upon enough to overthrow or foil Gainsayers and I do not love to toil But recreate for it is my delight To praise Jehovah when I speak or write And though I here conclude this Psalm or Song Yet if my God will but untie my tongue If he vouchsafe my worldly thoughts to raise And keep me still within his perfect wayes If he his Oracles to me impart If he enlarge my much confined heart From heart with tongue I will alwayes To him sing Hymns and Psalms of praise Lord plant more Songs of Praises in my brest That though I end this Song I may not rest Praising thee but my wel tun'd heart may bless That love of thine which toÌ„gues caÌ„not express Soli Deo Gloria An Elogie upon the incomparable Divine Patron of this little Book the Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testament IF I should here presume to speak your praise Some may object I am too young of dayes And that is truth and so 's the oldest man Let him prepare to speak the best he can But yet although my juvenility Impede my Muse from notes or strains so high I 'ill speak what I have learn't in this my age And leave it to be judg'd by men more sage You are good and perfect clean sweet pure You are righteous faithfull sound and sure You 're the Casket wherein those jewels are Ev'n truth and peace of late with us so rare You are the Mint of Doctrine th' only Mine Where truth doth grow the Orb from whence it shine Who meditates on you is not to blame For that your souÌ„dnes dothpreserve froÌ„ shame While we like Pilgrims here do walk along Your law doth prove to us our
would both these tongues acquire Your Servant John Davis To his respected Friend Master Thomas Churchman of London Citizen SIr of my lines be pleas'd to take a view If any thing in them shall pleasure you It 's yours howsoever reject it not For it is truth it self was clean from spot I must confesse my Muse doth want a stile To speak truths wortâ—orpraise but stay a while 'T will praise it self yet thus 't is worth receiving But errour condemn'd is scarce worth reprieving Your servant John Davis To his much esteemed Friend and Cousin-german John Davis of The Greenway in Hereford-Shire HEre is truth errour the first maintained The last before the right'ous Judg arraigned I hope thou hast this will within thy brest Of trying all thou read'st to keep the best And not to take things carelesly on trust As if all thou readest were true and just Stir up stir up in thee that noble minde Like to the Bereans who searcht to finde If things were so or no in holy Writ See if it hath true Scripture stampt on it 'T is currant coine if othérwise 't is base Metall receive it not on any case The pains of touching only here is thine The pleasure of composing hath been mine Your loving Cousin and name-sake John Davis London May An. Dom. 1652. To his Brother in Law William Gardiner of Whitchurch in Hereford-Shire THe world hath mill'ons of obst'cles to let An honest man from paying of his debt But Love 's a debt which surely might be paid By all without demand and not delaid Love is a sum me thinks might soon be got He 's a dishonest man that payes it not Yet in this age so many do dis-joyn Love seems as scarce as any other coyne But the debt 's due by Scripture 't is attested Who denies to pay 't will surely be arrested Now let you and I ere the Serjeant come Of all we owe be sure to pay this sum I am your loving Brother John Davis To his Brother in Law Thomas Roberts at the Were-end in Hereford-Shire BRother I know you well the truth you love Which is the cause that principally move My Muse to send to write to tell to thee That errour is condemn'd and truth set free In these my lines you will avouch it true If you will take an hour to read them through An Id'a of Philosophie to mee Thou gav'st lo here 's Divinity for thee From your Brother in Law John Davis To his Brother Robert Davis Barber-Chirurgeon of the City of London IF thou canst set a Song to Instrument Take pains with this it wil be time wel spent And though it may not disagree but suite With either Violl Harpsecall or Lute Yet let it not be only set to such But tune thy heart hereto and it will much Delight thy sp'rits what though it doth not like The eares of carnall men who only strike And harp upon that Instrument call'd Base O! sing with heart Gods praises in thy place Bad matter ne're so truly plaid is wrong Whatever others croke sing thou this Song Written by your Brother John Davis To his Brother Samuel Davis Cordwainer in the Town of Monmouth in Wales REad here the recreat'on of thy brother What gifts thou hast be sure thou dost not smother With this proviso start not out of size A word doth prove enough unto the wise Your Brother John Davis To the Captious READER I See some men do daily take and feed On such an herb that I account a weed And at Feasts that dish doth please my app'tite Which others cannot love but vainly slight Wherefore I here provide at this my Feast Rather what 's good than pleasing to each guest So if some palats cannot well relish This my sound meat my good and wholesome dish The fault now is not mine it only lights On their unsound and queamish appetites If some Criticks like not my good intentions The fault redounds on their ill apprehensions FINIS Errata In the Epistle p. 3. l. 12. r. parties ibid. l. 24. r. are r. when In the Psalme p. 6. l. 4. r. repent p. 7. l 6. r. â—e p. 8. l. 19. r. they p. 9. l 3. dele to p. 10. l. 16. r. if thus before but p. 22 l. 11. r. than ibid. l. 24. r. one p 23. l. 5 r. is p. 26. l. 22. r. names Epig. to my Countrey p. 2. l. 8. r. from whence Psal 149. a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b Jer. 10. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d The singing of the Protestants at Mountaban in France defeated their enemies Deut. 31. 19. * 1 Cor. 7. 29. a The Scriptures the Books of the Old and New Testament b 1 Pet. 1. 23. c Psal 119. 152 d Matth. 24. 35. e Deut. 13. 16. a Ephes 1. 11. b 1 Tim. 5. 21. Matth. 25. 41. c Rom. 9. 22 23. d Rom. 8. 28 29 30. a Jam. 2. 10 11 b John 10. 3. c Titus 1. 1. c 2 Tim. 2. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d Ephes 4. 11. f Ephes 4. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g Gal. 3. 22. a Acts 13. 48. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Titus 1. 2. b Hab. 1. 13. a Acts 1. 24. b 2 Chron 6 30 c Eccl. 9. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Rom. 11. 33. b Psal 77. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Ezek. 36. 26. b Job 21. 7 to 17. c Rom. 15. 29. d Restraining grace e John 10. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f To the Reprobate a Gen. 39. 5. Luke 12. 46 47 b 2 Pet. 2. 20 21. c By adding to the greatnesse a Mat. 13. 24. b Mat 5. 45. c Mat. 13. d 2 Tim. 2. 19 20 21. Acts 1. 24 25. e 1 Tim. 2. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 13. a Gal. 6. 16. b Christ c In Scripturâ sacrâ Isa 45 23 Rom. 14. 10. Ephes 1. 21 22 d Reason 6. Rom. 9. 16. e 1 Cor. 3. 5. f 1 Cor. 4. 7. Rom. 2. 11. e Rom. 9. 15. Exodus 33. 19. f Jer. 18. 6. Ester 6. to 9. a Eccles 8. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b T m. 6. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Psal 75. 7. a Job 22. 2 3. b Job 41. 11. c Paul Rom. 9. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Holinesse righteousnesse b Superlative a Gen. 40. 20 â—â— 22. b Mat. 18 23 to 35. c Rom. 3. 10 11 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d Rom. 6. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Jehovah b Psal 96. 8. Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The glory of his Name a Aetatis 23 May 16. 1652. b Psal 19 7 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Psal 119 86. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Psal 119. 80. d Psal 119 54. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 e Psal 119. 106 f Isa 55 11. g Pet. 1. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h Ephes 6. 17. i Psal 119. 30. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 119. 117. k Jer. 1. 10. l Psal 19. 7. m Psal 19. 8. n Jer. 23. 29. o Ps 19. 10 11. p 2 Tim. 2 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 q 2 Kings 10. 10. r Luke 8. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Å¿ Eccles 8. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 t 1 Cor. 15. 36. u Jo. 13. 7. x Psal 119. 73. y Psal 119. 19. z Gen. 6. 5. a Psal 119. 18. b James 5. 17. c Ps 119. 140. Quaedam tametsi paradoxa videntur utraque pars est vera o My word a Hand c Your Ministry 1 Sam. 25. 22 23. 4 W W W W. in Hereford-S hire a Woolf. Water and fire good servants bad masters b Wool proves c Wood signifies mad Of Wheat is made bread yet bread perishing food d The Word of God a tree e An earnest man is a Bee f 1 Pet. 1. 23. Christs righteousnesse better than Wooll k 2 John 10 11 a Aâ—â—axerxes a Death a Tobacco b Oysters